The prison of want Continued..

This is the rest of the Prison of Want by Max Lucado..

Doug Mcknight at the age of 32 was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Over the next 16 years it would cost him his career, his mobility, and eventually his life. Because of MS, he couldn't feed himself or walk; he battled depression and fear. But through it all, Doug never lost his sense of gratitude. Evidence of this was seen in his prayer list. Friends in his congregation asked him to compile a list of requests so they could intercede for him. His response included 18 blessings for which to be grateful and 6 concerns for which to be prayerful. His blessings outweighed his needs by 3 times. Doug Mcknight had learned to be content.

So had the leper on the island of Tobago. A short-term missionary met her on a mission trip. ON the final day, he was leading worship in a leper colon.y He asked if anyone had a favorite song. When he did a woman turned around and he saw the most disfigured face he'd ever seen. She had no ears and no nose. Her lips were gone. But she raised fingerless hands and asked, "  Could we sing, ' Count your many blessings'?"

The missionary started the song but couldn't finish. Someone later commented, " I suppose you'll never be able to sing the song again." He answered, "No, I'll sing it again. Just never in the same way."

Are you hoping that a change in circumstances will bring a change in your attitude? If so you are in prison, and you need to learn a secret of traveling light. What you have in your Shepard is greater than what you don't have in life.


May I meddle for a moment? What is the one thing separating you from joy? How do you fill in this blank? "I will be happy when_____?" When I am healed. When I am thinner. When I have another child. When my children leave home. When I am rich.  How would you finish that statement?

Now with your answer in mind, answer this, If your ship never comes in, if your dream never comes true, if the situation never changes, could you be happy? If not then you are sleeping in the cold cell of discontent. You are in prison. And you need to know what you have in your Shepard.
You have a God who hears you, the power of love behind you, the Holy Spirit within you, and all of heaven ahead of you. If you have the Shepard, you have grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner, and an anchor for every storm. You have everything you need!